A dramatic standoff in Nakuru has escalated the war between the former Deputy President and the police service, with Rigathi Gachagua accusing the Inspector General of surrendering command to political brokers.

The political fault lines in the Rift Valley have ruptured once again, transforming a routine roadside rally into a theater of confrontation. In a blistering attack that has sent shockwaves through the National Police Service, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused Inspector General Douglas Kanja of orchestrating a brazen attempt to curtail his movement and muzzle his assembly.

The flashpoint occurred earlier today at the Karati River, the border separating Nyandarua and Nakuru counties. A contingent of police officers, allegedly acting on orders from "above," erected a roadblock to prevent Gachagua’s motorcade from entering Nakuru to address a scheduled meeting at Kinamba Trading Center. The standoff, characterized by masked officers and agitated crowds, marks a dangerous new low in the relationship between the state security apparatus and the opposition figure.

The Karati River Standoff

Eyewitnesses describe a scene of tense chaotic energy as Gachagua’s entourage was halted by four police Land Cruisers. The officers, faces concealed, reportedly harassed motorists and residents for over an hour before the sheer weight of public pressure forced them to withdraw.

For Gachagua, this was not merely a traffic disruption; it was a calculated political hit. Addressing the gathered crowd after the blockade was lifted, he did not mince his words. "The busybody ordered the Nakuru County Commander to erect a roadblock at Karati River and stop my entourage," Gachagua declared, his voice cutting through the cheers of his supporters. "Sure as December 25th is Christmas, the IG seems to have no control of the police in Nakuru County."

The accusation is grave. It suggests a breakdown in the chain of command where regional police bosses are no longer answerable to Vigilance House but to local political godfathers. Gachagua’s narrative paints a picture of a police service that has been "state-captured" at the county level, deployed not to fight crime but to settle political scores.

A Pattern of Intimidation

This incident is not an isolated skirmish but the latest battle in a prolonged war of attrition. Gachagua listed a litany of similar disruptions, pointing to a systemic weaponization of the police force:

• The Subukia Teargas Incident: In July 2025, police lobbed teargas at Gachagua’s convoy, an act he claims was pre-meditated and communicated to Senator John Methu by the officers themselves.
• The Narok Chaos: In November 2025, Gachagua accused the police of enabling violence against his supporters during a by-election campaign.
• The Kirinyaga Ambush: Just last month, he alleged a special squad in civilian clothes commandeered police vehicles to target his entourage in Kagio.

The consistent thread in these allegations is the direct involvement of the police in partisan politics. "Mr. Kanja, please wake up and work," Gachagua demanded, challenging the Inspector General to either take charge or resign. The implication is clear: the police are being used as a private militia to gatekeep political strongholds.

With the political temperature rising ahead of the 2027 cycle, the militarization of political rivalry in the Rift Valley poses a significant threat to national stability. If the police cannot be seen as neutral arbiters, every roadside rally risks becoming a riot.

"We will not be intimidated," Gachagua told the crowd at Kinamba, effectively drawing a line in the sand. As the dust settles on the Karati River standoff, the question remains: Is Inspector General Kanja in control, or are there shadow commanders running the show in Nakuru?